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María José Alonso facts for kids

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Maria J. Alonso
María José Alonso Fernández.jpg
Born
María José Alonso Fernández

(1958-12-22) 22 December 1958 (age 66)
Alma mater University of Santiago de Compostela
Known for
Awards
  • National Academy of Medicine
  • American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering
  • Royal Academy of Medicine of Belgium
  • Maurice Marie Janot Award
  • King Jaume I Award
  • Medal of Merit in Research and Education
  • National Research Award Juan de la Cierva
Scientific career
Fields Biomedical Engineering
Institutions University of Santiago de Compostela. Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology. Full Professor. Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS)

María José Alonso Fernandez (born on December 22, 1958) is a very important scientist from Spain. She is a full professor at the University of Santiago de Compostela. Her work focuses on using tiny particles, called nanotechnology, to deliver medicines.

Professor Alonso's research helps create new ways to treat serious illnesses. These include cancer, eye problems, skin diseases, and diabetes. She also works on developing new vaccines. Her discoveries have made a big difference in medicine.

Her Journey in Science

María José Alonso studied pharmacy and pharmaceutical technology. She earned her master's and PhD degrees in 1985. She also did research in France and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the U.S.

From 2006 to 2010, she was in charge of research at her university. She helped create new research centers. This made her university known as a "Campus of Excellence."

Being a Member of Important Groups

Professor Alonso is a member of many important science groups. These include the National Academy of Medicine in the U.S. She is also part of the Royal Academy of Medicine of Belgium. In Spain, she belongs to three different academies.

She has also led many scientific societies. One of them is the Controlled Release Society. She helped start its Spanish-Portuguese chapter. She later became its president.

Her work is supported by big organizations. These include the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The European Commission also helps fund her research.

Professor Alonso is known as one of the most important researchers in her field. She is a top scientist in Spain and worldwide.

How She Delivers Medicines

María José Alonso's lab works on designing special tiny materials. These materials are called "nanovehicles." Think of them as very small delivery trucks for medicine.

Their goal is to help drugs and vaccines get to the right place in the body. They help medicines cross natural barriers, like skin or eye surfaces. This way, the medicine can reach the exact tissue that needs it. This research helps create new "nanomedicines" and better vaccines.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Professor Alonso has received many awards for her amazing work. Here are some of them:

  • 1985: She won an award for the best PhD in her faculty.
  • 2011: She received the "King Jaume I" Award for New Technologies.
  • 2013: She was given the "Women in Sciences" Award.
  • 2014: She won the "Maurice Marie Janot Award" from a European society.
  • 2016: She became a member of the National Academy of Medicine (U.S.).
  • 2018: She received the "Castelao Medal" from the Xunta de Galicia.
  • 2020: She was named one of the "20 most influential researchers in biopharmaceuticals."
  • 2020: She received the "Medal of Merit in Research and Education" from the Spanish government.
  • 2022: She received the National Research Award ‘Juan de la Cierva’.
  • 2022: She was awarded Doctor “Honoris Causa” by the University of Nottingham.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: María José Alonso Fernández para niños

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